How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 6.1
“Resena.”
“……”
Eldis felt both pity and sympathy for her, as if she were a small animal being tormented. But at the same time, his heart was racing with excitement. He felt he would become even more attached to her than he had been during the Vernas incident. He called out to her gently.
“Don’t be afraid. There’s no way I could dislike someone Resena is fond of.”
“…That.”
“Or, is there any other reason I might come to dislike him?”
What should I do?
It’s true that she was drawn to Vernas, but she couldn’t let him suffer because of her. Because of this, Resena apologized to him in her heart as she opened her mouth.
“No. It’s just… I’m only interested in the sculptures he makes.”
“Hmm…”
“I saw him sculpting before, and he truly sculpted as if he had the hands of a god. Before I knew it, time had flown by… I think that’s why Mother and Father thought I was interested in Vernas.”
“……”
Somehow, it felt like a waste.
He had come to know what face she made when she lied. So in a way, there was some gain. But he didn’t want to see her continue with these pitiful words that weren’t in her heart. It was almost painful to watch.
‘But I can’t reveal that I’m Vernas.’
“Resena. It’s okay. I’m not going to be jealous just because you’re interested in that person. Rather, I find it attractive that you have such a great interest in art.”
“……”
Resena was slightly tense. But Eldis’s words continued gently, as if trying to ease that stiffness.
“I too have a great interest in art. If given the chance, I’d like to meet painters or sculptors. Among them, I’m especially interested in sculpture. So if time allows, I think it would be nice to meet Vernas together with you.”
At this, Resena’s face turned pale. If the two people who had romantic interest in her were to meet, her feeble lie would surely be shattered instantly. Imagining the two of them sizing each other up, Resena felt like her head was about to explode.
Eldis felt sorry for her, but at the same time, he felt pleased that it seemed she had such deep feelings for Vernas.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m only interested in the sculptures.”
“Hmm…”
“If time allows, it might be nice to meet once, but Vernas is known as a children’s sculptor, so he seems to only sculpt around children. Even if you see him, you’ll likely meet in a very noisy environment.”
“Is that so.”
Eldis smiled kindly.
“Then, we’ll have to postpone meeting him. It’s a bit disappointing, but it can’t be helped. There have often been situations where meeting an artist in person leads to disappointment. So maybe it’s better not to meet and just admire the sculptures while keeping our fantasies about what kind of person he is.”
“Yes. I think that’s for the best. Besides, Eldis, you have many other things to worry about.”
Eldis gazed quietly into her eyes. Resena, who had been so tense that even her tiny heart felt like it might jump out, averted her gaze, her feet tingling for no reason. But he smiled brightly and enveloped her hand in his.
“Resena.”
“Yes, Eldis.”
“The more I look at you, the more lovely you become. It’s only natural that I’m drawn to you… These aspects of you I didn’t know before, these sides different from the you I knew, they keep enchanting me.”
“Eldis…”
“Resena might find this troublesome, but right now I’m dying to kiss your cheek. To be honest, I want to do even more than that. But that would trouble you, wouldn’t it? After all, we’ve only just had our first date…”
“……”
Eldis’s striking blue eyes crinkled at the corners, his silver-white hair framing his face. His summer sea-colored eyes, catching the sunlight, were filled only with her.
“Resena.”
In the pouring sunlight, his clear silver hair shone and his large frame leaned towards her. His perfect body, as if sculpted by God, caressed Resena’s hand. Then, slowly, it brushed her cheek. His half-closed sea-colored eyes, slightly narrowed, held only her as they slowly drew closer.
His muscular body stretched out an arm and embraced Resena’s waist. Their bodies drew closer with the teddy bear between them.
Eldis smiled gently.
“Resena. I…”
And, the sound of her name being called so affectionately sweetly moistened her ears. His beautiful face drew closer to Resena’s lips. Resena realized her heart was beating wildly with an emotion different from fear.
She was perplexed by the situation of being drawn to two men, but she tried hard not to show it.
“I have the confidence to wait until you’re drawn to me. So please don’t let any other man into your heart besides me.”
“Eldis…”
“If you end up having to let another man in… Please leave the part I occupy as it is for me. Even if I have to be your second man, I don’t want to give you up.”
“…Your Highness Eldis.”
Eldis smiled gently, his face close to Resena’s lips.
“Shh. Resena. You should call me Eldis. We’re alone together, don’t distance yourself. I want to hear you call me Eldis.”
“…Eldis.”
“Yes. Resena.”
Suddenly, Resena wondered if Eldis showed this kind of kindness to others as well. He said he’d be fine even as a second man. But Eldis had never made such a passionate confession to any other lady. Even when he was slowly approaching Lorona, she didn’t remember him taking the initiative like this.
‘If things continue like this, maybe the end of the world won’t happen.’
Feeling a positive future unfolding in her mind, Resena slowly lowered her gaze from Eldis.
If Eldis’s behavior was a result of accepting her advice, that would be really great.
Because if he showed this kind of kindness to other ladies approaching him, she would be utterly disappointed in him.
“Resena.”
“Yes, Eldis.”
“Well…”
However, as if both knowing and not knowing her feelings, Eldis looked down at Resena with an affectionate expression, as if sweet honey had melted. Then, he lifted her chin to meet his gaze, preventing her from avoiding his eyes.
His clear colored eyes scrutinized Resena’s face.
As if trying to understand the cause of her expression, and finally, as his eyes narrowed, his breath touched her cheek.
‘He’s going to kiss me, I think…’
Resena couldn’t bear it and tightly closed her eyes. But what she actually heard was only his clear laughter. Ha ha ha. After laughing like that, he slowly released her chin and took a step back.
“Don’t worry, Resena.”
“……”
“This is our first date, after all.”
His sweet voice moistened her ears like a harmony.
“No matter how ready I might be, I have no intention of being a scoundrel who kisses from the start. You can relax, Resena.”
“…Eldis.”
Resena covered her mouth to hide her flushed cheeks. Watching this, Eldis gently lowered his head to meet her eyes and spoke sweetly.
“We’ll kiss when Resena is ready. Is that okay?”
“……”
“Hm, Resena?”
He smiled with a bright smile like a fully blooming rose.
“Of course, I’ll do it with your permission. I’m confident. In making your heart turn towards me.”
How could she say that he shouldn’t do that? She didn’t have the courage to refuse Eldis, who was eroding her with his bright light, even though there was another man in her heart.
Of course, she took a step back as if expressing her feelings, but Eldis’s gaze remained fixed on her, full of emotion.
